Finding Neverland (B+ or 3/4 stars)
Peter Pan couldn't have hoped for a better writer than J.M. Barrie in 'Finding Neverland' (directed by Marc Forster). It is 1903 at the grand opening of Barrie's (Johnny Depp) latest play. Hundreds of elitists show up but are quickly turned off by how bad the play is. But, Barrie knew it was bad, too. Where would he get inspiration to create a masterpiece for the ages? He wouldn't find it in his home with his dullard wife, Mary (Radha Mitchell). She seems too pre-occupied in bettering her position in society, rather than tending to the needs & wants of her husband. Yet, on the flip side, Barrie often ignores his wife, & doesn't seem perturbed by the lack of sex in his life. They aren't content with each other; but it never seems to bother either of them in huge capacity. Mary seems to realize that she could never know the real J.M. Barrie because his head is always in a fantasy world, a 'Neverland'.
Barrie meets Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet) and her four charming children at Kensington Gardens. He appreciates three of the four children's creative minds when he observes them playing games, but is inquisitive to find out why the 4th child, Peter (Freddie Highmore), is so distant, & apprehensive to believe in things that he can't see. Barrie is a young boy in a man's body. He plays pirate games, cowboys & Indians, and the like, with the kids. And while Barrie tries to figure little Peter out, he also helps The Davies immensely by lending them his cottage. Sylvia is a recent widow and has very little money to her name. Her only financial help comes from her wealthy mother (Julie Christie) who doesn't approve of Sir Barrie's meddling; to her, it's a complete interference with her family.
Slowly, Peter begins to open up his mind with the help of Barrie. The children write & perform a play for their mom, Sylvia. But she falls ill and the play must be postponed. Peter and his brothers fear that she may soon die, just as their father did. Peter is saddened by his mother's condition & feels small in the enormity of the universe. These are the times when Peter needs to use his imagination, find his self-worth, and 'believe' that his mother could get better (even if she may not). The film ends with a rousing performance of 'Peter Pan' at the London Theater. In a brilliant maneuver by Barrie, he brings 25 orphans in to view the play so that their innocent laughter & cheer would 'bring out the magic' for the adult viewers. The play is a resounding success; this is a fantastic scene.
The best part of the film is when the cast of 'Peter Pan' comes to the Davies' home to perform for the ailing Sylvia. We all venture to Neverland. It's an emotional scene that moved me to tears. But this is one of the few moments of the film that makes me feel that 'FN' is something special. Depp is exceptional as J.M. Barrie. It's clear that he is one of Hollywood's greatest actors of this time because he takes risks, plays roles so different from movie to movie, & makes it look easy. Look at how different Jack Sparrow is from his role in Secret Window, and now to J.M. Barrie. I see another Oscar nom in his future -- whether he can beat Jamie Foxx is another story. But as my good friend Erica points out, the latest trend in the Academy Awards is for actors to win 'lifetime achievement awards' rather than winning for the particular role they're nominated for; this could benefit Depp.
Winslet is great, yet more impressive in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Dustin Hoffman is very funny as Barrie's impresario. I wish her were used more throughout the film. But the most impressive performance for me is by Freddie Highmore. He has the face of an angel & his acting abilities at his age are mesmerizing. I enjoyed 'Finding Neverland' a good deal. But this isn't the masterpiece I thought it would be (winning top honors with the National Board). Simply, it's a good film with very good acting, lovely cinematography/sets/costumes, & a beautiful score. But it is all quite ordinary & a bit underwhelming until the great final 30 minutes. In any case, I am glad that I now have some insight into J.M. Barrie's strengths & weaknesses as a man, and how Peter Pan came to us all.
Barrie meets Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet) and her four charming children at Kensington Gardens. He appreciates three of the four children's creative minds when he observes them playing games, but is inquisitive to find out why the 4th child, Peter (Freddie Highmore), is so distant, & apprehensive to believe in things that he can't see. Barrie is a young boy in a man's body. He plays pirate games, cowboys & Indians, and the like, with the kids. And while Barrie tries to figure little Peter out, he also helps The Davies immensely by lending them his cottage. Sylvia is a recent widow and has very little money to her name. Her only financial help comes from her wealthy mother (Julie Christie) who doesn't approve of Sir Barrie's meddling; to her, it's a complete interference with her family.
Slowly, Peter begins to open up his mind with the help of Barrie. The children write & perform a play for their mom, Sylvia. But she falls ill and the play must be postponed. Peter and his brothers fear that she may soon die, just as their father did. Peter is saddened by his mother's condition & feels small in the enormity of the universe. These are the times when Peter needs to use his imagination, find his self-worth, and 'believe' that his mother could get better (even if she may not). The film ends with a rousing performance of 'Peter Pan' at the London Theater. In a brilliant maneuver by Barrie, he brings 25 orphans in to view the play so that their innocent laughter & cheer would 'bring out the magic' for the adult viewers. The play is a resounding success; this is a fantastic scene.
The best part of the film is when the cast of 'Peter Pan' comes to the Davies' home to perform for the ailing Sylvia. We all venture to Neverland. It's an emotional scene that moved me to tears. But this is one of the few moments of the film that makes me feel that 'FN' is something special. Depp is exceptional as J.M. Barrie. It's clear that he is one of Hollywood's greatest actors of this time because he takes risks, plays roles so different from movie to movie, & makes it look easy. Look at how different Jack Sparrow is from his role in Secret Window, and now to J.M. Barrie. I see another Oscar nom in his future -- whether he can beat Jamie Foxx is another story. But as my good friend Erica points out, the latest trend in the Academy Awards is for actors to win 'lifetime achievement awards' rather than winning for the particular role they're nominated for; this could benefit Depp.
Winslet is great, yet more impressive in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Dustin Hoffman is very funny as Barrie's impresario. I wish her were used more throughout the film. But the most impressive performance for me is by Freddie Highmore. He has the face of an angel & his acting abilities at his age are mesmerizing. I enjoyed 'Finding Neverland' a good deal. But this isn't the masterpiece I thought it would be (winning top honors with the National Board). Simply, it's a good film with very good acting, lovely cinematography/sets/costumes, & a beautiful score. But it is all quite ordinary & a bit underwhelming until the great final 30 minutes. In any case, I am glad that I now have some insight into J.M. Barrie's strengths & weaknesses as a man, and how Peter Pan came to us all.